From John Jay to George Washington, 16 March 1786
To George Washington
New York 16 march 1786
Dear Sir
Under the same Cover with my Letter to You of 2 Instant, I transmitted a Pamphlet, in which I have since remarked the Errors mentioned in the inclosed printed Paper.1
altho you have wisely retired from public Employments, and calmly view from the Temple of Fame, the various Exertions of that Sovereignty and Independence which Providence has enabled You to be so greatly & gloriously instrumental in securing to your Country; yet I am persuaded you cannot view them with the Eye of an unconcerned Spectator.
Experience has pointed out Errors in our national Government, which call for Correction, and which threaten to blast the Fruit we expected from our “Tree of Liberty”. The Convention proposed by Virginia may do some good, and would perhaps do more, if it comprehended more Objects—2 an opinion begins to prevail that a general Convention for revising the articles of Confederation would be expedient. whether the People are yet ripe for such a Measure, or whether the System proposed to be attained by it, is only to be expected from Calamity & Commotion, is difficult to ascertain. I think we are in a delicate Situation, and a Variety of Considerations and Circumstances give me uneasiness.
It is in Contemplation to take measures for forming a general Convention—the Plan is not matured—if it should be well concerted and take Effect, I am fervent in my wishes, that it may comport with the Line of Life you have marked out for yourself, to favor your Country with your Counsels on such an important & single occasion. I suggest this merely as a Hint for Consideration, and am with the highest Respect & Esteem Dear Sir your most obt. & very h’ble Servant
John Jay
His Excellency General Washington
ALS, DLC: Washington, ser. 4 (EJ: 10391). Addressed “His Excellency / General Washington / Mont Vernon—” Franked: “FREE. / John Jay”. Endorsed. Dft, NNC (EJ: 8420). Endorsed: “… No. 51”. 3: 186–87; and 2: 242–43, with deletions.
1. JJ to GW, 2 Mar. 1785, ALS, DLC: Washington (EJ: 10390); Dft, NNC (EJ: 8421); on the pamphlets, see the editorial note, “Lewis Littlepage Redivivus,” above.
2. After the successful settlement by Virginia and Maryland of their disputes over navigation and commerce on the Chesapeake at the March 1785 Mount Vernon Conference, on 21 Jan. 1786 the Virginia legislature called for a meeting of all the states to consider delegating to Congress powers to regulate commerce.